Jess and Ben thank supporters, NZ v Finland. Photo: James Roberts / World Curling
NZ save best for last at World Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles
3 May 2026 – New Zealand's Ben Smith and sister Jess Michels saved their best until last at the 2026 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Geneva, Switzerland.
The pair had a slow start, dropping the first four games in their pool. Although their playing stats were down on from their usual standard, they still took two of those losses to the last stone of the match.
From there they turned their fortunes around, winning three of their last five games. Jess finished their round robin in style with a hit to score five points to seal a 10-4 win over China.
Ben commented after the match, "Today was about building confidence and putting in a performance. Definitely an improvement."
"We just went out there and tried to work on the things we’ve been working on. We’ll try to bring that to the relegation game," added Jess.
The side's eighth placing in the 10-team pool saw them facing a one-off relegation game against Finland, who finished ninth in the other pool. Playing by far their best game of the week, the Kiwis dominated the scoring, and the Finns shook hands after six ends. New Zealand's 8-1 win secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Championship.
Jess and Ben were well supported in Geneva by coach Kim Veale-Tuck, and manager Jordan Michels.
In the playoffs, Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt won a first-ever World Championship gold medal for Australia. Sweden took home the silver, and Canada the bronze.
- World Curling tournament page
- Curling Channel TV – all games streamed
- Live scoring
- NZ results at World Mixed Doubles
- Team Smith – Instagram | Facebook
NZ Results
| Group B Results | Group Standings | W | L | Q | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 12 | - | 3 | NZ | 1 | Australia | 8 | 1 | Q | |
| Netherlands | 9 | - | 8 | NZ | 2 | Sweden | 7 | 2 | Q | |
| Estonia | 8 | - | 4 | NZ | 3 | Japan | 7 | 2 | Q | |
| Denmark | 11 | - | 4 | NZ | 4 | Estonia | 6 | 3 | ||
| NZ | 9 | - | 6 | France | 5 | Norway | 4 | 5 | ||
| NZ | 6 | - | 5 | Norway | 6 | China | 4 | 5 | ||
| Japan | 11 | - | 1 | NZ | 7 | Netherlands | 4 | 5 | ||
| Australia | 10 | - | 4 | NZ | 8 | New Zealand | 3 | 6 | R | |
| NZ | 10 | - | 4 | China | 9 | France | 1 | 8 | R | |
| 10 | Denmark | 1 | 8 | >B | ||||||
| Q = qualified for playoffs, R=relegation game | ||||||||||
| Relegation Game | ||||||||||
| NZ | 8 | - | 1 | Finland | NZ qualify for 2027 World Championship | |||||
Team New Zealand, Jess Michels and Ben Smith. Photo Ansis Ventins / World Curling
Ben Smith, NZ v Denmark. Photo Ansis Ventins / World Curling
Celebrating a win, NZ v China. Photo James Roberts / World Curling
Jess and Ben thank supporters, NZ v Finland. Photo: James Roberts / World Curling